What are the best mini-van alternatives? Have a lot of the benefits of mini-vans. If you have 2+ kids, dogs, take road trips, etc. so you want some space, easy to get in and out of, not ridiculously expensive, etc. We have a five year old Toyota Highlander which is pretty nice... BUT, while it has a back row of seats, they are impossible to get to and once up leaves ZERO trunk space. Any thoughts?
I've driven the Ford Edge, Explorer and Flex many many times via Avis rentals... I love all three. If I had a wife and kids tomorrow, I'd buy the Edge without question, or upgrade to the Expedition if the family grew too big. Obviously, I like Fords (and no I don't work for them). I encourage anyone before they buy Toyota or Honda or whatever else to check them out. They've come a long way. I really love the look of the new Fords and the interiors are fantastic. Of course I love Microsoft Sync =)
Like what model? Expedition might be one to check out. Others aren't big enough for our needs. I do like what ford has done Specifically don't want a minivan, though... even if there is a Prius one (and I'm not sure there is yet)
Just get a minivan. F*** what people think. That's what I'm doing when I have kids. They are clearly better than SUVs with their cramped and inaccessible back benches.
They don't make vans like they use to. I got in this ford from the 80's. That was like a mini living room. Park that bad boy outside the club. It's a wrap.
My brother and his wife traded in their Honda Odyssey for an Expedition, and love it. The Odyssey is MUCH smaller than the Expedition. It is more in line with the Explorer in size.
We're debating the same thing and I think what will work best for us to is to put one of these on our SUV to free up some space: http://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Cargo-Carrier/Pro-Series/63153.html We only really need the extra space on road trips, so this let's us keep a 5 seater SUV instead of having to expand to a larger one or a van....
Mr. Clutch is right you know. With a large family, a dog, and lots of traveling it maybe your best option. The Toyota minivans don't look half bad. The only problem is that it says to the ladys "I don't get play" (I understand you're married, but face it, that's what it says). Maybe u should have gotten a vasectomy........
I have an '08 Expedition, and am able to fit 3 car seats into the 2nd row somewhat comfortably. There is a 3rd row if needed, but your trunk space is basically reduced to nil. no complaints about the way it handles. I got stuck in a sonata rental while I was getting the bumper replaced, and it handles like a dream comparitavely. (obviously doesn't handle as well as my Acura TL) all of the newer models come with the automatic gate lift and a switch for the 3rd row seats as well.
I have an older expedition. I love it but it has its flaws. The back seats are hard to get to unless you have bucket seats in the second row and the gas mileage sucks. They are also crazy expensive these days. I think the high end one runs close to 50K.
I purchased a Toyota Sienna minivan in 2005, so my information is obviously dated, but when I sat down and did the math, buying a similar size SUV was like throwing money away in comparison. Minivans are (were) much cheaper, cost less to maintain, held their resale value much better, and got significantly better gas mileage. I didn't really want a minivan either, but when I saw how much less money I was spending, coolness didn't matter in the end.
It is pretty standard that if you buy a car that is 2 years old, it is half off (some exceptions obviously). Needless to say, I buy two year old cars rather than new ones. I have a LandRover that stickered for 57K, and I got if for 22k when it was two years old with 23,000 miles on it. Saved an extra four grand driving to Dallas rather than getting one local too.
I faced the same dilemma and I went with the GMC Acadia. It may have been the only mid size SUV with 2nd row bucket seat. It's like a mini van on the inside, without the sliding doors and the stigma.
I bought a Toyota Sienna 10+ years ago when we had the 3rd kid. We've driven it all over the NW and California. It's an awesome roadtrip car. The best feature for the roadtrip is being able to take out seats in the back and configure it however you need it for that trip. So easy to get in and out of for the family when you take one of the middle captain's chairs out. Very versatile- do not discount because of the way it looks.
Here's the new Acadia 2013/2014. http://gmauthority.com/blog/2012/02/chicago-2011-the-2013-gmc-acadia-begins-brands-refresh/
